January

Well, I am officially 28 years old. I can't even believe it! It is truly amazing how fast time goes, especially since having Audrey. But I know that age is only a number, I feel like I'm still 16! :)
Our January has gone by quickly as well, only a few more days before the month is over!

We stayed home New Year's Eve and had a few friends over to visit and play Wii.
Two weekend's ago, we went to Steve's mom's house because his sister Amy was visiting from Virginia. She was able to meet Audrey for the first time! We all stayed the whole weekend. We enjoyed time playing games, eating yummy food and taking a trip to the Pineville Goodwill. For all you Goodwill shoppers, Pineville's is THE VERY BEST!

And what a wonderful birthday present I received, it snowed! I took Audrey outside to experience her first snow! I was told by my family we made news up North! I'm sure it snowed lots of times on my birthday growing up but it was pretty special since we don't get much snow here.

I've been trying to get out more during the week since this cloudy, cold weather tries to bog me down. I've started going to a book/bible study with a friend Thursday mornings which will continue for 12 weeks. It's been so fun to go and to meet new ladies from other churches and areas of Charlotte! And it's given Audrey some time to be away from me :)
Speaking of Audrey, she had her 9 month appointment yesterday. Did I say 9 MONTHS?! It just CAN'T be!!!!!!! :(

Stats-
Weight: 17lb 3oz (<25%, still a little twerp! Gained almost 2 lbs in the last 3 months)
Height: 27 3/4 in (> 50%, still a long string bean!)
Head: >90% (She's got a big brain ya'll!)

She loves her Dr and played with her stethoscope and badge the whole time we were there. She went through a bit of separation anxiety a month or 2 ago but seems to be over that. She's still attempting to crawl but she's content scooting/army crawling for now. I think our wood floors are slowing her up. She can wave bye-bye and we're working on blowing a kiss. She's also trying to pull up on things which she'll master soon I'm sure. Yikes. The Dr. said her gums on top were swollen so the big top toofers are on their way! She got her first cold last week that we're trying to get rid of, she's been her cheerful self though except for being a little extra sleepy. I better wrap up this post, I'm getting a little carried away. Enjoy the pics!

Audrey with Auntie Amy

Audrey and Auntie Heidi

Auntie times 2

Daddy head-butt

Hello? Is someone in there?

Hey over there!!!

It's about time you come see me!!! Too bad you're stuck in the kitchen, that stinks

Snow bunny

Hi ya!

Mmmm

After a first taste of snow. Not as good as it looks

Red nosy, getting cold out here Ma!

But not too cold to smile!!!

Before we headed inside

Playing with the guitar, not playing the guitar

We look like we know what we're doing though, right?

Birthday freebies

As my birthday is just a few short days away, I thought it pretty cool I ran across this link today. Freebies are the BEST!!! Click HERE

So far this month...

Audrey and I have had lots of play time just the 2 of us this month. We haven't been going out much so we've been trying to stay busy at home. I guess Audrey decided to pump it up a notch all of a sudden because she's scooting around like crazy lately! I took a few pictures and videos of her today and also saved her from tumbling down the stairs face first. The next several months should be interesting to say the least!

The picture above was taken this last weekend. She's wearing a little polo and jean skirt. Steve said it looks like a "first day of school" outfit. The next picture was from a few days ago. She grabbed a spoonful of peas while I was feeding her and it splashed her face. She thought it was pretty funny. :)

2009

As a new year rolls around again, I like to take the time to reflect on the year that's just past and also to the new year and what I can do to "live a better life". I think about what I should do to "improve" myself, how I can feel better, how I can help others, etc. Do those things really matter? Of course they do. But are there other things that I should be focusing on?

We had an amazing message on Holiness this last Sunday. You can listen to it here. One point was that when we feel we have disappointed God and we feel distant from Him, he doesn't love us any less when we "mess up" than he does when we obey Him. I thought this this morning as I was watching The View. I very rarely ever watch TV during the day but I just happened to turn it on today. The ladies were talking about a man who tried to live like Jesus for a whole year. They were discussing whether they'd be able to do it. Each took their turn and made comments. Elizabeth's was the closest to the truth: "No, we can try but we all fall short". Then Whoopi had her turn. I'll paraphrase her thoughts. She said why can't we live like him? He got angry and happy, partied, did nice things for people, I could do that. But what was the ONE thing that she was missing???

SIN. Jesus NEVER SINNED. NEVER, EVER, NOT EVEN ONCE. And even though we may reach a point in our lives when we think we can't get any closer to God and we can't be anymore obedient, WE FALL SHORT because of sin. We can try and try until we die to be just like Jesus, that's the challenge we face each and every day. But we fail. And then we get up and try again. Why? Because we have been saved from our SINS!!!! Even though we continue to sin, God provides the grace to ask for forgiveness and to be washed clean of that sin! What a GLORIOUS SAVIOR WE HAVE IN JESUS!

So, as I write this, how grateful I am of God's sanctifying work in my life! But I am saddened at the same time. And here come's my #1 resolution, the resolution I will always have every January 1st until I die. TO PRAY FOR LOST SOULS. We all go through our days, so concerned about ourselves, what our kids are doing or not doing, what our spouse did or didn't do, happy times, sad times, times of trial. But no matter what, I know that I am God's child. NO MATTER WHAT. He died for ME on the Cross. He paid for MY SINS. I know that. But there are many people in my life that don't. Many people I see each and everyday, walking through this life with no direction, not knowing The Truth. Some are very dear to me, some are perfect strangers. Regardless of their relationship with me, they are all God's creation. And HE wants them to know Him!!!! So when I'm in the check out at the grocery store and there's a little old lady in front of me, I'm going to pray for her. And when I hear a famous rock star fall ill, I'm going to pray for them. And when I think about my nieces at random times during the day, I'm going to pray for them, that they may come to repent of their sins and begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
A new year is a new beginning for lots of people. New diet, new budget, new goals. But each day is a new beginning. And God moves in mysterious ways. Lift those that you love up in prayer. God can do anything, he can forgive anyone. I know, because he forgave me.

Our Christmas

It was our 4th Christmas that Steve and I have shared together, Audrey's very 1st! We actually had to wake her up because WE were so excited :) I think she was in somewhat of a trance while we opened our stockings and gifts. She did attempt at opening gifts but got side tracked and found the ribbons and tags more interesting. My husband did an amazing job at blessing me with such thoughtful and fun gifts! My favorite gift was a Starbucks thermos with pictures of him, Audrey and me. I adore it! After gifts, we put Audrey down for a much needed nap and afterward, headed to Steve's mom's house in Rock Hill for an Italian lunch and more gifts. We had a fun day with the family and was in awe of the amazing weather! That night, there was quite a bit of laughter and tears playing a family game of Twister. We had a wonderful Christmas, hope you and your family did as well!

Getting ready, but still sleepy

We had to stop midway and take some pictures

The "exciting" ribbon Audrey liked more than her gifts

This is an example of Steve's amazing wrap job :) He ran out of a piece big enough so he used bits and pieces instead. Mr Creative

Audrey doing her best to open our gift to her

It's a glow worm! I think she loves it, can you tell by her expression?

A tiny girl in a BIG mess

She loves my new scarf, it has tassels on it